Report Urges Consistency at Nuclear Sites

The U.S. Government Accountability Office says the federal government should soon standardize security procedures at its nuclear facilities, including one near Augusta.

Private contractors provide security at the Savannah River Site and five other federal sites that handle nuclear materials. But the GAO says their protocols vary on how to respond to attack or theft.

The federal watchdog agency has also suggested making security forces government employees, an idea the U.S. Energy Department has rejected before. Energy Department officials say that would be too costly and wouldn't improve safety.